DE102009022723A1 - Rear-mounted LED module for combination rear lights on motor vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

A reverse combination LED module for a combination rear light is disclosed. One or more LEDs are mounted on a circuit board that mechanically holds them in the focus of a faceted parabolic reflector. Light from the LEDs diverges transversely and horizontally and is collimated by the reflector, and the reflected collimated light is generally directed in a longitudinal direction from the combination rear light toward the viewer. The LED module itself is generally aligned in the longitudinal direction and inserted from a hole at the apex of the reflector in the longitudinal direction in the interior of the reflector. The circuit board, an optional heat trap adjacent to the circuit board, and a thermally conductive layer adjacent to the optional heat trap are all generally planar layers, generally parallel to one another, and may all have the same contact surface. Together, the printed circuit board, the heat trap and the thermally conductive layer can all form a generally planar strip.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The This application claims the priority of FIG. 35 U.S.C § 119 (e) for the provisional application No. 61 / 056,738, filed May 28, 2008, entitled "Von The side usable LED light module for a combination rear light in a motor vehicle ", which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety is involved. The full priority right according to the Paris Convention hereby expressly reserved.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE CROWDED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

• Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The The present invention relates to combination rear lights for lighting systems in motor vehicles.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED TECHNIQUE

about for many years electric vehicles have been used in motor vehicles, which served a variety of functions. For example, offer lights a front lighting (headlights, additional lights), visibility (front parking lights, rear tail lights), signal transmitter (direction indicator, Warning lights, brake lights, reversing lights) and comfort (Ceiling lights, dashboard lights), just a few applications to call. In the past have been for the entire lighting or much of the same in a motor vehicle light bulbs used in a variety of sizes, Shapes, wattages and lamp holder packages are available.

In Recent years have seen some lighting applications in automobiles the use of light emitting diodes (LEDs) on. Compared with light bulbs LEDs consume less power, have a longer life and a lower heat output, making it suitable for Applications in the motor vehicle are well suited.

In the relatively short period of time since LEDs were introduced as light sources automobile manufacturers have taken a cautious position. While they were deliberate, on the basis of all the above Benefits of using LEDs, they were hesitant to the familiarity a light bulb with a socket and the associated completely abandon conventional appearance. As a result, there have been several lighting subsystems in recent years, the mechanical appearance of the old light bulbs and frames but actually use LEDs as their light sources.

1 shows a typical motor vehicle 1 with typical exterior lights, the front turn signals 2 , Headlights 3 , Fog lights 4 , side indicators 6 , a middle, high-mounted brake light 7 , a license plate lamp 8th and so-called "combination rear lights" 9 (RCLs). Any of these or all may include accessories, such as a headlight cleaning system 5 , In this application, we focus primarily on the combination rear lights 9 ,

It should be noted that each combination rear light 9 a tail light (also known as a marker light), a brake light (also known as a brake light), a flashing light and a reversing light can include. Each luminaire in the combination rear light may have its own light source, its own reflection and / or focusing and / or collimation and / or scattering optics, its own mechanical housing, its own electrical circuit and so on. In this regard, one embodiment or feature of a particular luminaire may be for any or all of the luminaires in the combination backlight 9 be used. Optionally, one or more functions may be shared by the lights, such as a circuit that controls more than one light source, or a mechanical housing that includes more than one light source, and so on. For example, each lighting subsystem normally has its own independent lamp, although the tail lamp and brake light functions can be combined in a single lamp (incandescent lamp) with double filament.

In recent years, as the use of LEDs in automotive exterior lighting systems began, there has been a tendency for the LEDs to be tightly integrated into the bracket. For example, the middle, high-mounted brake lights 7 or CHSMLs in most cases this way, since it was relatively easy to adopt an LED module for this application. Due to the long lifetime of LEDs, this can be the preferred approach in the long term.

In other words, in the long run, the lighting fixtures, including housings, reflectors, cover lenses, and all optical interface elements, will most likely be adapted to a configuration optimally designed around the LED. The electrical connections, the heat sink, the collimation and / or reflection and / or Scatter optics will most likely have designs that are primarily for LEDs, and not primarily for conventional incandescent lamps, which are then modified to incorporate LED light sources.

Short term However, many automakers prefer a familiar and well-known Technology, including known reflector and bulb geometries, which developed for incandescent and over many years were used. Consequently, several lighting manufacturers have Combination rear light systems developed the LEDs as light sources use, but the common openings in lamp socket units and use conventional manners. The lamp is accessible from behind, d. H. from the viewer opposite side, as is usual with older light bulb systems is. These lamp systems are short for automakers interesting because the mechanical aspects of the lamp systems with the older, proven systems for incandescent used are compatible. An example of one such lamp system is the product JOULE, commercially available from Osram Sylvania, based in Danvers, Massachusetts is.

It gave different designs for these lamp systems, use the LED sources, but the mechanical "feel" of the older ones Have light bulb systems. Each of these designs has some disadvantages, such as mounting difficulties or one low optical performance caused by losses is caused.

An example of one of these known embodiments is in the U.S. Patent No. 6,991,355 issued January 31, 2006 to Coushaine et al. and assigned to OSRAM Sylvania Inc. of Danvers, Massachusetts. In this embodiment are several LEDs 22 on one side of a circuit board 20 attached, and a heat sink 25 is on the other side of the circuit board 20 appropriate. The LEDs, the circuit board 20 and the heat sink 25 they are all outside a concave reflector 50 and adjoin the base (the vertex) of the reflector. Light from each LED 22 is via a respective light guide 30 that is different from the LED 22 through a hole at the top of the reflector 50 extends into the interior of the reflector 50 directed. The exit side of each light guide 30 is located in the focal point of the reflector 50 so that from a led 22 emitted light into the light guide 30 enters, in the focal point of the reflector 50 from the light guide 30 exit, at the reflector 50 is reflected and exits the lamp as a collimated beam. One of the embodiments uses a curved light guide 30a in that the exit side of the light guide is suitably aligned and the light emerging from the light guide migrates in a suitable direction and at a suitable location on the reflector 50 meets. Another of the embodiments uses a straight light guide 30 with an intermediate reflector 26 to match the fiber optic output to the reflector 50 to judge.

In the version after the '355, the light guide 30 be the source of loss. Typical optical fibers are primarily cylindrical rods made of plastic or glass, with all surfaces being smooth or, in the case of a casting, as smooth as possible. Additional polishing steps may be performed on the part, but such polishing steps result in undesirable additional costs for the light guide and thus for the entire lamp unit.

The Longitudinal sides of the light guide are the entrance and exit sides, and both can cause a loss. If For example, the pages are uncoated, it may be due to the Difference of refractive index between the rod and the air too a reflection loss of about 4% per surface come. Such reflection loss can be achieved by applying reflector coatings The long sides can be reduced, but that can be too undesirable additional costs for the light guide and thus for the entire lamp unit. Furthermore It may cause additional losses due to diversification Long sides come. Such scattering losses can be reduced somewhat by ensuring that the long sides are relatively smooth, but in practice it is difficult to eliminate this leakage.

The Transverse side of the light guide usually remains without coating, so that light that propagates along the interior of the light guide, every time you reflect on the outside surface Total internal reflection experiences. It can be caused by surface roughness, Contaminants or other defects along the transverse side to scattering losses come. As with the scatter losses through the long sides Also, the scattering losses through the transverse side can be difficult be off.

Therefore It would be convenient, a combination rear light to create that uses LEDs as the light source, from the back the lamp is in use and the optical losses and costs a light guide eliminated.

There the present application to lighting systems in motor vehicles is parked, it is appropriate to first with the To deal with terminology.

The parts that make up the lighting systems at the corners of vehicles are known as "lamp assemblies." For buildings, the equivalent of "lamp assemblies" would be fixtures or simply mounts. A lamp assembly typically includes a plastic or plastic housing, one or more reflectors, in some cases optical lens systems, and a cover lens that normally matches the exterior of the vehicle and often has colored portions, such as amber and red. The housing of the lamp assembly comprises, typically rear, socket openings to receive and hold a socket with a lamp (commonly referred to in the United States as "bulb"), ventilation means and, in some cases, front light adjustment means.

in the Generally there is an LED based lighting module four basic elements: (1) the actual LED chip; (2) the heat sink or heat dissipation, which reduces the heat generated by the LED chip derives, (3) the driver circuit that operates the LED chip, and (4) the optics receiving the light emitted from the LED chip and aimed at a viewer. These four elements do not have to be completely redesigned for each particular module; instead, a particular lighting module may have one or more use already known elements. The following paragraphs describe several of these known elements that come with this one disclosed LED based lighting module can be used.

The U.S. Patent No. 7,042,165 entitled "Driver Circuit for an LED Vehicle Lamp" issued to Madhani et al. and assigned to Osram Sylvania Inc. of Danvers, MA, discloses a known driver circuit for LED based lighting modules and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The '165 patent discloses a first vehicle lamp driver circuit for a light emitting diode (LED) array, wherein the LED array has a first string of four LEDs in series and a second string of four LEDs in series. A first LED driver drives the first LED string and a second LED driver drives the second LED string. In a BRAKE operating mode, the current to both LED strings is controlled by the LED driver in series with the LED string. In a HECK mode, only one LED string is powered by a diode and a resistor connected in series. When there is a reduced input voltage, the operation of the LED strings is provided by circuits that bridge one LED in each LED string. A second vehicular lamp driver circuit includes a first LED string and a second LED string in series with a control switch having a feedback circuit for obtaining constant current regulation, controlling the sum of the current in each LED string, and switching faults reduce. The driver circuit disclosed in the '165 patent can be used directly or it can be easily modified to drive the LED chip for the lighting module disclosed herein.

The U.S. Patent No. 7,110,656 entitled "LED Piston" issued to Coushaine et al. and assigned to Osram Sylvania Inc. of Danvers, MA, discloses a complementary mechanical structure of socket and connector for LED-based lighting modules, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In the '656 patent, an LED light source includes a housing having a base. A hollow core protrudes from the base and is grouped around a longitudinal axis. A circuit board is positioned in the base at one end of the hollow core and has a plurality of LEDs operably attached about the center thereof. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the hollow core is tubular and the circuit board is circular. A light guide having a body which, in a preferred embodiment, as in 2 and 4a is shown cup-shaped, has a given wall thickness "T" on. The light guide is positioned in the hollow core and has a first end in operative relation with the plurality of LEDs and a second end projecting over the hollow core. The thickness "T" is at least large enough to include the emission range of the LEDs used therewith. The complementary mechanical structure of socket and connector disclosed in the '656 may be used directly, or it may be readily modified for the lighting module disclosed herein.

The U.S. Patent No. 7,075,224 entitled "Luminous Diode Connector with Voltage Receiver" issued to Coushaine et al. and assigned to Osram Sylvania Inc. of Danvers, MA, discloses another complementary mechanical structure of socket and connector for LED-based lighting modules, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In the '224 patent, an LED light source ( 10 ) a housing ( 12 ) with a base ( 14 ) with a hollow core protruding therefrom ( 16 ) on. The core ( 16 ) is essentially conical. A central heating conductor ( 17 ) is located centrally within the hollow core ( 16 ) and is made of solid copper. A first circuit board ( 18 ) is connected to one end of the central heating conductor, and a second printed circuit board ( 20 ) is at a second, opposite end of the central heating conductor ( 17 ) attached. The second circuit board ( 20 ) has at least one LED ( 24 ), which is operatively attached to this. A variety of electrical conductors ( 26 ) has proximal ends ( 28 ), which contact electrically conductive traces on the second printed circuit board ( 20 ) are formed, and distal ends ( 30 ), the electrically conductive traces on the first circuit board ( 18 ), open. Each of the electrical conductors ( 26 ) has a stress releaser formed therein ( 27 ), which is axially compressed during assembly. An essay ( 32 ) is above the second circuit board ( 20 placed; and a heat sink ( 34 ) is attached to the base in thermal contact with the first circuit board. As with the '656 patent, the complementary mechanical structure of socket and connector disclosed in the' 224 patent may be used directly, or it may be readily modified for the lighting module disclosed herein.

The U.S. Patent No. 6,637,921 entitled "Replaceable LED Replaceable LED Bulbs", issued to Coushaine and assigned to Osram Sylvania Inc. of Danvers, MA, discloses reflector optics that receive light emitted perpendicular to a printed circuit board from an LED and in a number of directions can reflect, which are all approximately parallel to the circuit board. The optics disclosed in the '921 patent may be in the form of an inverted cone with the tip of the cone facing the LED chip. The cone may be continuous or, in another embodiment, may have discrete facets similar to the shape of a cone. The reflector optics can be used with a single LED chip or with multiple LED chips arranged around the tip of the cone. The reflector optics disclosed in the '921 patent may be used with the LED-based lighting module disclosed herein, and may be placed in the beam path between the LED chip and the reflector which directs the LED light to a viewer.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment is a combination rear light ( 10 ) for a motor vehicle, comprising: a housing ( 21 ) with a longitudinal axis; a generally flat bar ( 31 . 131 ), which are longitudinally to the housing ( 21 ) and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing ( 21 ), the bar ( 31 . 131 ) comprises a plurality of layers, the plurality comprising: a thermally conductive layer ( 43 . 143 ) in thermal contact with the housing ( 21 ); and a printed circuit board ( 41 ) leading to the thermally conductive layer ( 43 . 143 ) is generally parallel; a plurality of light emitting diodes ( 44 . 144 ) on the printed circuit board ( 41 ) are arranged, wherein the diodes ( 44 . 144 ) through the printed circuit board ( 41 ), wherein the diodes ( 44 . 144 ) Heat generated by the thermally conductive layer ( 43 . 143 ) or through the thermally conductive plate ( 41 ) can be dissipated, wherein the diodes ( 44 . 144 ) Can generate light that is different from the printed circuit board ( 41 ) can spread away; and a concave reflector ( 13 ) with a focal point, the concave reflector ( 13 ) at its apex an opening for receiving the housing ( 21 ), the bar ( 31 . 131 ) and the light emitting diodes ( 44 . 144 ) having. If the housing ( 21 ), the bar ( 31 . 131 ) and the light-emitting diodes ( 44 . 144 ) completely into the opening in the concave reflector ( 13 ) are inserted, are the light emitting diodes ( 44 . 144 ) in the focal point of the concave reflector ( 13 ). If the housing ( 21 ), the bar ( 31 . 131 ) and the light-emitting diodes ( 44 . 144 ) completely into the opening in the concave reflector ( 13 ), light diverges ( 12 ), that of the plurality of light-emitting diodes ( 44 . 144 ) is emitted from the printed circuit board ( 41 ), at the concave reflector ( 13 ) to form a collimated beam ( 14 ), and occurs substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing ( 21 ) from the lamp ( 10 ) out.

Another embodiment is a combination rear light ( 10 ) for a motor vehicle, comprising: a concave reflector ( 13 ) for receiving diverging light ( 12 ) of a plurality of light emitting diodes ( 44 . 144 ) and for reflecting a collimated beam ( 14 ) in a beam exit direction; a largely planar structure ( 31 . 131 ) for mechanically carrying the light-emitting diodes ( 44 . 144 ) for electrically operating the light-emitting diodes ( 44 . 144 ) and for dissipating heat from the light emitting diodes ( 44 . 144 ), the largely planar structure ( 31 . 131 ) comprises: a printed circuit board ( 41 ) and a thermally conductive layer ( 43 . 143 ) parallel to and adjacent to the circuit board ( 41 ); and a housing ( 21 ) for mechanically supporting the largely planar structure ( 31 . 131 ), the housing ( 21 ) in thermal contact with the thermally conductive layer ( 43 . 143 ). The largely planar structure ( 31 . 131 ) can pass through an opening in the concave reflector ( 13 ) are inserted as an exchangeable module in the beam exit direction. If the largely flat structure ( 31 . 131 ) completely into the opening in the concave reflector ( 13 ) is inserted, is the plurality of light emitting diodes ( 44 . 144 ) in a focal point of the concave reflector ( 13 ). If the largely flat structure ( 31 . 131 ) completely into the opening in the concave reflector ( 13 ), the housing remains ( 21 ) largely outside of the concave reflector ( 13 ).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIOUS VIEWS THE DRAWINGS

1 is a schematic drawing of the exemplary exterior lighting of a motor vehicle.

2 is a schematic cross-sectional drawing of a simplified beam path in a combination rear light with a single LED and a non-faceted reflector.

3 is a schematic cross-sectional drawing of a simplified beam path in a combination rear light with many LEDs and a non-faceted reflector.

4 Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional drawing of a simplified beam path in a combination backlight with a single LED and a faceted reflector.

5 is a schematic drawing in an assembled view of an exemplary mechanical arrangement of a combination rear light.

6 is a schematic drawing in exploded view of the exemplary combination tail light from 5 ,

7 Figure 3 is a schematic drawing in assembled view of an exemplary mechanical arrangement of a LED backlighting module.

8th is a schematic drawing in exploded view of the LED module 7 ,

9 Figure 3 is a schematic drawing in assembled view of an exemplary mechanical arrangement of a LED backlighting module.

10 Figure 3 is a schematic drawing in assembled view of an exemplary mechanical arrangement of a LED backlighting module.

11 Figure 3 is a schematic drawing in assembled view of an exemplary mechanical arrangement of a LED backlighting module.

12 is a schematic drawing in exploded view of the exemplary LED module 10 ,

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The here disclosed light emitting diode (LED) module can be used for outdoor lighting of a vehicle. The LED module can be mounted in a lamp assembly socket or mount can be mounted from behind and be replaceable, similar to that of conventional incandescent bulbs is used. The LED module can also be in the reflector housing be attached and sealed if a replaceable module is not absolutely necessary. The LED module can be optical elements which are suitable for directing the light towards a reflector distributing light from the LED chip (s) and direct the reflected light at a viewer. this will more specifically in the following detailed description disclosed.

For typical known combination rear lights, the LEDs as light sources, there were many ways to ensure that the light emitted with the proper orientation exits the device. For example used this commercially available under the name JOULE System of first generation light emitting diodes, which in a special Angles were appropriate. The assembly process for this First generation system was undesirably complicated and required a difficult connection between the LEDs and the printed circuit boards. In the second generation JOULE system was this assembly diagram for the light emitting diodes through a light guide and replaced a small reflector, which is the emission point of the LED on the focal point of the reflector of the combination rear light depict. The light guide is usually a transparent tube made of glass or plastic with smooth sides, which ensure that a beam that transmitted along the light guide becomes, with each reflection on the sides a total internal reflection experiences. The light guide is, though an improvement represents the product of the first generation, still a separate component in the system, resulting in increase the cost of the system, and he brings losses, as a proportion of the light at the entrance and exit interfaces of the light guide is lost. additional LEDs were required to pass through the light guide and the associated Overcome optics caused losses. A system, the side emitting light emitting diodes used, was also tried, but again there was either mounting difficulties or one low optical performance.

in the Generally all of the previous combination rear lights will show some kind of deficiency, whether it be trouble now mounting, low optical performance or an incompatibility with modern enclosures for Combination rear lights acts.

The present invention overcomes these deficiencies and may provide one or more of the following advantages:
First, the light emitting diode module is fully integrated, thereby reducing the number of components and simplifying the assembly of the module. Furthermore, since the LEDs and electronics are on the same board, there is no need for an additional connection between them.

Secondly the light emitting diode module is backward compatible and has optical and mechanical characteristics similar to those of modern ones Housings of combination rear lights fit or can be readily adapted to them. In this Case, the socket or socket used as a heat sink become. If an additional heat sink required is thermostatic or cooling fins on the Be added back of the circuit board.

thirdly decreases the loss of the LED module, reducing the brightness of the module increases and / or the amount of electrical current, which is necessary to operate the module can be reduced. A light guide or any additional optics are unnecessary.

We provide a brief summary in the following ten paragraphs of the Revelation, followed by a detailed description of the beam path in the combination backlight from a detailed description of the mechanical aspects of the combination rear light.

One rear-mounted LED module for a rear combination light is revealed. One or more LEDs are on a circuit board mounted, these in the focus of a faceted parabolic reflector mechanically holds. Light that is emitted from the LEDs, is collimated by the reflector, and the reflected collimated Light is emitted in a generally longitudinal direction Combination rear light directed towards the viewer.

The LED module itself is generally oriented in the longitudinal direction and in the longitudinal direction in the interior of the reflector of a Hole can be inserted from the top of the reflector. The circuit board, one optional heat trap or a heat pad adjacent to the circuit board and a thermally conductive layer adjacent to the optional heat traps are each general planar layers are each generally parallel to each other and If necessary, all the same bearing surface exhibit. Together, the circuit board, the heat trap and the thermally conductive layer is all a general level Forming a strip.

at In some applications, the flat bar may be generally vertical and be aligned in the longitudinal direction. The on the circuit board attached LEDs can generally be perpendicular to light emit to the groin. The divergent light from the LEDs can laterally to the leftmost and / or rightmost spread edges of the lamp. The reflector works outside the axis and bends the optical axis about 90 degrees, so that the reflected light in the longitudinal direction spreads to the front edge of the lamp.

at In other applications, the flat ledge can generally be horizontal and be aligned in the longitudinal direction. The on the circuit board attached LEDs can generally be perpendicular to light emit to the groin. The divergent light from the LEDs can vertically towards the top and / or bottom edges spread out the lamp. In these applications, the lamp can have a or a plurality of intermediate reflector (s) that are vertically deflecting light from the LEDs. Of the one or more Inter-reflector (s) reflected light generally propagates horizontally towards the collimation reflector. The collimation reflector works outside the axis and bends the optical axis by about 90 degrees, so that the reflected light in the longitudinal direction spreads to the front edge of the lamp.

The PCB can have one or more connecting pins, which is generally parallel to the end of the circuit board extend the circuit board and electrical power and / or monitoring to the and / or from the circuit board. The connecting pins may be a plastic connector own, which is attached to the pins.

The light emerging from the LEDs is divergent with a special one Angle pattern indicated by the LEDs themselves. each LED emits a beam that is generally away from the center of the vehicle walking parallel to the ground. The device has a curved Reflector on, which collimates the light from the LEDs and the collimated Light from the rear of the vehicle roughly parallel reflected to the ground.

The Form of the reflector may be a half paraboloid, wherein the LEDs are located in or near the focus of the paraboloid. If two or more LEDs are present, the light from each LED collimated and reflected by the reflector in the device but light from the two LEDs can be slightly different Angle escapes, which are divided by the page separation of the LEDs are given by the focal length of the parabolic reflector. In general The emission pattern from the device should be a special comply with the legal requirement that the angular profile of the exiting Prescribe light in two dimensions.

The reflector in the device may be faceted, so that the light emerging from the holder can fulfill a particular predetermined angle requirement. Such faceting of the Reflector is known and will be described in more detail below.

It Simulations were performed, prototypes built and Power measurements (or measurements of radiant power in lumens) and they turned out to agree with the simulations.

at In some embodiments, the module may and / or may the socket parts serve as a heat sink. One or Both can be made of aluminum or another suitable one thermally conductive material be made to heat remove from the device.

After this now a brief summary of the revelation has been given follows next, a discussion of the ray trajectory in the Combination rear light, followed by a more detailed meeting the mechanical implementation of the optical components.

2 is a schematic cross-sectional drawing of a simplified beam path in a combination rear light 10 , An LED module 11A gives a divergent ray 12 laterally, towards the side of the rear combination light 10 , out. The divergent beam has a peak brightness along a particular direction, here as an optical axis 17 referred to as.

The divergent ray 12 can be characterized by a particular angular distribution or an angular width, which describes how fast the brightness of the beam decreases, and as a function of angles. For example, the diverging beam may have a half-width characteristic (FWHM) for its intensity or brightness, or it may have a half-width at a 1 / e ^ 2 intensity, or any other suitable angular width. The characteristic angular widths of the divergent beam may be the same, or they may be different along the x and y directions, where the optical axis may be considered the z direction. The size of the diverging beam decreases as it propagates along the optical axis 17 to, approximately in relation to the distance from the LED module 11A ,

In this simplified ray trajectory in 2 there is only a single LED in the LED module 11A , In practice, more than one LED may be present in the module; this case will be explicitly after the discussion of the simplified system in 2 treated.

The divergent ray 12 meets a concave reflector 13A which collimates the beam and a collimated beam 14 along, towards the front of the combination tail light 10 , reflected.

The reflector 13A may be in the form of a paraboloid, which is parabolic in a cross-section including its vertex. It is known that parabolic reflectors reflect a nearly aberration-free collimated beam from a light source placed at the focal point of the paraboloid. A longitudinal displacement of the source away from the focus may produce a defocus or deviation from the collimation, or equivalently a deviation of the light flux from the parallelism. Shifting the source laterally away from the focus may produce a focusing error of the reflected collimated beam. In other words, with a laterally shifted source, the reflected beam is still collimated, but the reflected beam may deviate from the non-shifted case with respect to the angle. In general, the value of such angular displacement with respect to the radiant intensity equals the lateral displacement of the source divided by the focal length of the parabolic reflector. With lateral displacements away from the focal point that are long enough, the reflected beam may also have monochromatic wavefront aberrations, such as coma.

at an old-style reflector that used light bulbs, The lamp usually became the focal point of a parabolic reflector placed symmetrically from the back of the reflector. Of the Reflector normally surrounded the lamp, with one opening remained towards the front of the device. As a light bulb Light emitted in all directions (except in direction to the version), it was useful to surround the lamp azimuthally, so that as much emitted light in the out directed to the parabolic reflector emerging collimated beam has been.

In contrast, in parabolic reflectors using LEDs as their light sources, it is not necessary to use the entire 360-degree azimuthally complete paraboloid to capture all the light emitted by the source. Since LEDs radiate into a relatively small solid angle cone compared to incandescent bulbs, only a portion of the paraboloid must be used that sufficiently captures the entire spatial extent of the beam at the reflector. Consequently, the reflector 13A a fraction of a paraboloid, such as a half paraboloid, or another suitable paraboloid section. It should be noted that a half paraboloid can be visualized by halving the full paraboloid at a plane extending through its vertex and focal point. Optically, such a fraction of a paraboloid works well enough to capture the diverging light from the source and uses it less volume and less material than would be the case for a full paraboloid.

In 2 one can regard the optical axis as deflected at the reflector, so that in the collimated beam the optical axis 18 approximately along, towards the front of the combination tail light 10 , can be aligned. In some applications, the optical axis 17 . 18 be deflected by 90 degrees at the reflector. In other applications, it can be diverted slightly more than 90 degrees or slightly less than 90 degrees. In all cases, we point out that the divergent ray 12 has a "largely" lateral orientation, and that the collimated beam 14 has a "far-reaching" longitudinal orientation.

The collimated beam 14 can usually be referred to in the literature as "parallel luminous flux". These terms are interchangeable and may be considered equivalent as used in this application.

After passing through a "clear cover lens" or "cover lens" 15 remains the collimated beam 14 collimated 16 and exits the combination rear light 10 at the rear of the vehicle in the direction of the viewer. The clear cover lens 15 may have a possible spectral effect, such as filtering one or more wavelengths or wavelength ranges from the transmitted light, but does not normally scatter the beam, as would a diffuser.

The LED module 11A , the reflector 13A and the clear cover lens 15 can all of a housing 20 be held mechanically. Such a housing 20 may be desirable in that it can be manufactured inexpensively, and it may be shaped or stamped to match the surface profile of the reflector 13 includes.

The mechanical aspects of the combination rear light 10 will be discussed in more detail below after the instantaneous description of the beam path.

The simplified combination rear light 10 out 2 may require some modifications before meeting the legal requirements for a combination rear light; it is recalled that these requirements have been set for incandescent lamps and that new LED-based lamps may be designed so that their output "looks" like that of bulb holders to meet old requirements.

For example, the combination rear light may require greater light output than is possible or convenient with a single LED. Such a multiple LED is simplified in schematic form in 3 shown.

Compared with the combination rear light 10 out 2 The only different component is a multiple LED module 11B which includes three LEDs. In this simplified scheme, all the LEDs emit light in approximately the same direction, within typical manufacturing, assembly, and / or alignment tolerances. In other applications, one or more LEDs may point in different directions.

The light from each of the three LED sources on the multi-LED module 11B is through the entire combination rear light 10 so that there are three sets of dashed lines to represent the beam. The effect of multiple, spatially separated sources in such a system is that there is some slight angular deviation of some light rays in the beam 16 away from the optical axis 18 can give. Such angular deviation is usually small, as in the range of only a few degrees, and the output beam 16 is still considered collimated.

From the optical point of view, it is desirable that the LEDs are as close as possible to each other. From a thermal point of view, however, it is desirable that the LEDs be spaced as much as possible so that the heat generated by each LED can be effectively dissipated. In practice, the LEDs on a circuit board may be spaced up to a few mm or more. The thermal aspects of the combination rear light 10 will be described in more detail below, following the current description of the beam path.

The simplified combination rear light 10 out 3 may have sufficient optical output power to meet the corresponding legal requirements, but it may be that the angular distribution of the light in the output beam 16 not suitable. In other words, it may be the output beam 16 be too focused, so if the line of sight of a viewer outside the relatively narrow output beam 16 lying, the lamp can not appear bright enough.

This can be more accurately understood by examining the angle requirements of the lamp output and its evolution from the output of incandescent lamps. Light emerging from an old-style reflector mount has two superimposed portions: (1) light exiting the bulb directly from the clear cover lens, and (2) Light from the bulb, which is reflected at the parabolic reflector. The proportion (1) is divergent while the proportion (2) is generally collimated. The combination of these two components in the space away from the vehicle has an angular dependence, the intensity being greater when the line of sight of the observer is within the collimated beam of the component (2). However, the angle dependence is attenuated by the relatively weak angular dependence of the fraction (1). From this, typical threshold values for angular output of about ± 10 degrees in the vertical direction and about ± 20 degrees laterally developed, so that the light from the lamp could be sufficiently seen when a viewer's line of sight is "within" the angle threshold, but it must not necessarily be seen when the viewer's line of sight is outside the angle threshold.

It follows that the output beam 16 from the simplified combination rear light 10 out 3 too narrow to meet the angular requirements of about ± 10 degrees vertical and about ± 20 degrees laterally, since its angular extent can only have a maximum of ± a few degrees. A well-known element that has been developed for angularly widening a beam without significantly changing its collimation is in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,149,355 4 and may be referred to as a "faceted" reflector.

Compared with the schematic drawing 2 of the simplified combination tail lamp 10 the only difference is in 4 in replacing the simple parabolic reflector 13A through a faceted parabolic reflector 13B , In general, faceted reflectors are known in the industry and have been disclosed in the patent literature as early as 1972 or earlier. Three such known faceted reflectors are briefly summarized below. It will be understood that in addition to the three examples summarized below, any suitable faceted reflector design may be used. In the exemplary drawing in FIG 4 aligns every facet 19A . 19B . 19C . 19D and 19E Light in the generally same predetermined angular range, the entire lamp output having generally the same angular range as each of the facets. In alternative embodiments, each facet may direct light into its own, individually predetermined angular range, the entire lamp output including the angular contributions from all facets.

One of the relatively early faceted reflector designs is in the U.S. Patent No. 3,700,883 entitled "Facetted Reflector for Illumination Unit", issued October 24, 1972 to Donohue et al. has been granted and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Donohue discloses guidance for making the reflector including determining the number, size, curvature, and placement of each facet to produce undistorted reflector images of the light source whose cumulative effect produces the desired illumination distribution within prescribed limits. Because accurate parabolic cylindrical surfaces were difficult to produce in 1972, Donohue includes mathematical approximations to allow for the use of circular cylindrical surfaces instead.

Another faceted reflector design is in the U.S. Patent No. 4,704,661 entitled "Faceted Reflector for Headlamps" issued November 3, 1987 to Kosmatka and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Unlike the earlier Donohue patent, which used true cylindrical surfaces, the Kosmatka patent uses proper parabolic cylindrical surfaces and simply rotated parabolic surfaces.

A third known faceted reflector design is in the U.S. Patent No. 5,406,464 entitled "Reflector for Vehicle Headlights", issued to Saito on April 11, 1995 and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Saito discloses a reflector having a plurality of reflection areas, each reflection area having a plurality of segments. Each segment has a curved base (hyperbolic paraboloid, elliptical paraboloid or paraboloid of revolution) and is designed for a paraboloidal reference surface with locally different focal lengths.

Like him in the combination rear light 10 out 4 is used, the faceted reflector receives 13B the diverging beam 12 from the LED module 11A , collimates the beam and deflects portions of the beam angularly and directs the collimated and angularly deflected beam 14 on the clear cover lens 15 through which the light from the lamp 10 exit.

It becomes the beam path in the lamp 10 out 4 summarized before the mechanical assembly for the lamp is discussed. An LED module 11B becomes in or near the focal point of a faceted parabolic reflector 13B placed. The LED module 11B is oriented so that it directs its diverging light output largely sideways. The divergent ray 12 from the LED module 11B meets the faceted parabolic reflector 13B so that the optical axis 17 has an angle of incidence of about 45 degrees, and the reflected optical axis 18 leaves the reflector at an exit angle of about 45 degrees. The incident op table axis 17 is largely horizontal and lateral, and the reflected optical axis 18 is largely longitudinal. The parabolic reflector 13B collimates the beam and reflects a collimated beam, and the facets produce a particular angular distribution to the reflected collimated beam 14 , The reflected collimated beam 14 goes through the clear cover lens 15 through and becomes the exiting beam 16 which spreads out to a viewer.

After summarizing the course of the beam, the mechanical assembly of the combination rear light now becomes 10 which holds the optical components in place, powers the LEDs, and dissipates the heat generated by the LEDs.

The 5 and 6 12 are schematic drawings in assembled exploded view of an exemplary mechanical arrangement of a combination tail lamp 10 ,

An LED module 11C is inserted longitudinally from the back of the lamp, similar to conventional incandescent lamps. Light from the LEDs is coming off the side of the LED module 11C horizontally, emitted generally perpendicular to the last surface of the circuit board. The inner surface 13 of the housing 20 is a faceted concave reflector that collimates the light and projects it longitudinally through a clear cover lens (into the 5 and 6 not shown) out of the lamp deflects. The facets 19 on the reflector, portions of the reflected collimated light deflect at an angle to meet a predetermined angle requirement on the light exiting the lamp.

The housing 20 can be a single part that has the curved and faceted surface of the reflector 13 optionally comprising additional reflector layers and adjacent flat surfaces for mounting and connecting additional components. The housing 20 has a flat surface that faces the cylindrical or longitudinal axis of the heat sink 21 is vertical, which during assembly the adapter 53 and the LED module 11 mechanically holds. It should be noted that the feature of the adapter 53 also in the case 20 built-in feature can be. The housing 20 may be made of any suitable material, such as metal, plastic or other suitable material or a combination of materials.

The lamp 10 may also have a clear cover lens on its face, which is not shown in the figures. Such a cover lens may optionally have one or more sealing features to protect the other components from the elements.

The LED module 11C includes a heat sink 21A and a generally flat bar 31 running lengthwise from the heat sink 21A protrudes. The heat sink 21A may be made wholly or partly of a thermally conductive material, such as aluminum. The heat sink 21A may optionally heat dissipating features, such as cooling fins 24 , exhibit.

The bar 31 may comprise one or more layers, the layers being generally parallel, and optionally the same bearing surface (or side extension) on the strip 31 exhibit. The structure of the bar 31 is shown in more detail in the text below and in the following figures. The one layer of the bar 31 that in the 5 and 6 is shown is a printed circuit board 41 , In some applications, the circuit board 41 be thermally conductive, such as a metal core type printed circuit board or a circuit board layer on an aluminum plate with an insulating layer disposed thereon.

The circuit board 41 serves as a mechanical support for one or more LEDs. In the example of 5 and 6 are three LEDs 44A . 44B and 44C mounted on the surface of the circuit board, however, it is understood that more or fewer than three LEDs can be used. Each of the LEDs emits diverging light perpendicular to the plane of the circuit board 41 , and therefore perpendicular to the bar 31 out. In other applications, the LEDs may be mounted along one or more edges of the circuit board and may output diverging light from the edges of the circuit board, generally parallel to the circuit board and to the ledge; these applications are shown and discussed in more detail below.

The circuit board 41 also supplies the LEDs 44A . 44B and 44C with electricity. The current can be from the electrical system of the motor vehicle through a hole 23 in the heat sink via a connector (not shown) to the circuit board 41 to be delivered. Optionally, the circuit board 41 provide monitoring of the LED current, temperature, impedance or any other suitable size.

The LED module 11C , which is the heat sink 21A and the bar 31 includes, can be longitudinally in a housing 20 be inserted. The housing 20 has a concave reflector along one of its inner surfaces 13 on. The reflector has a hole at its apex, through which the LED module 11C can be introduced. The reflector also has a focal point, so if the LED module 11C completely in the case 20 is inserted, the LEDs 44A . 44B and 44C in focus. Moving the LEDs from the focal point may result in a decollation of the light exiting the lamp, so that it is generally desirable to arrange the LEDs as close as possible to the focus of the reflector.

The lamp can have one or more retaining rings, gaskets or gaskets 51 and 52 exhibit. The lamp can also have a quarter turn adapter 53 include. The rings may protect the circuitry and the LEDs protectively from the elements, and may optionally provide clearance and / or fixation features that may help to ensure that the LEDs are properly placed when the LED module 11C is completely inserted. In some applications, the LED module 11C only partially inserted and then secured to the housing.

It should be noted that if the LED module 11C is fully inserted into the housing, the bar 31 is largely located in the housing inside the Konkavreflektors, and the heat sink is largely outside the housing 20 located. It is understood that a small section of the bar 31 outside the case 20 extend, such as for connection purposes or for purposes of heat resistance or mechanical stability. Similarly, for similar reasons, a small portion of the heat sink may 21A in the case 20 extend.

It is also important to note that this particular LED module 11C so on the case 20 attached is that the circuit board 41 is oriented substantially vertically, within typical manufacturing, assembly and alignment tolerances. The quarter-turn features of the bezel and reflector can help align the LEDs with the reflector. In this orientation, light is out of the LEDs 44A . 44B and 44C emitted horizontally and spreads directly, without intermediate optical components, to the parabolic reflector.

The LEDs 44A . 44B and 35C are on one side of the circuit board 41 mounted so that they generally radiate all in the same direction, namely perpendicular to the plane of the circuit board. In general, it is common to attempt to mount the LEDs so that their radiations are truly parallel, but in practice, due to component, manufacturing, and assembly tolerances, there may be slight variations in the LED setting angles. In general, these minor LED setting errors pose no problems for the lamp.

The circuit board 41 includes the electrical circuit that houses the LEDs 44A . 44B and 44C drives. The circuit may be formed in a known manner using techniques commonly used in printed circuit boards. The embodiment of the LED drive circuit may be a known type, such as the embodiment of the aforementioned document, the U.S. Patent No. 7,042,165 entitled "Driver Circuit for LED Vehicle Lamp" issued to Madhani et al. and assigned to Osram Sylvania Inc. of Danvers, MA, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Alternatively, any suitable LED driver circuit may be used.

Although in 5 If three LEDs are shown, any suitable number of LEDs may be used, including one, two, three, four, five, eight, or any other suitable value. In general, the placement of the LEDs on the circuit board is determined by a trade-off between optimizing the optical performance, aiming for the closest possible grouping of the LEDs, and optimizing the heat dissipation, aiming to distribute the LEDs as far as possible.

The shape or "bearing surface" of the circuit board 41 can be chosen arbitrarily. In the exemplary embodiment of 5 and 6 the support surface is rectangular. In some applications, a circular circuit board may be beneficial for mounting in other components that have general cylindrical symmetry. In another embodiment, the circuit board may have a square or rectangular profile; a rectangular bearing surface may serve to reduce any lost material for the printed circuit board in the manufacturing process. In general, any suitable form for the circuit board 41 be used.

The electrical connections to and from the circuit board 31 done by one or more Schaltverbindungsstücke. Connectors such as these are favorable for a quick connection or disconnection of the circuit board. The connector may be a known connector such as those disclosed in the following two references: Das U.S. Patent No. 7,110,656 entitled "LED Piston" issued to Coushaine et al. and assigned to Osram Sylvania Inc. of Danvers, MA, discloses a complementary mechanical structure of socket and connector for LED-based lighting modules, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The U.S. Patent No. 7,075,224 entitled "Luminous Diode Connector with Voltage Receiver" issued to Coushaine et al. and assigned to Osram Sylvania Inc. of Danvers, MA, discloses another complementary mechanical Structure of socket or socket and switching connector for LED-based lighting modules and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Alternatively, any suitable connector may be used.

The 7 and 8th 12 are schematic drawings in assembled exploded view of another exemplary mechanical arrangement of an LED module 11D for a combination rear light. This LED module 11D and subsequent LED modules discussed below may be used with appropriate housings and concave reflectors.

Compared with the LED module 11C from the 5 and 6 the biggest difference is the LED module 11D in that two intermediate reflectors 45A and 45B are present on the circuit board 41 adjacent to the LEDs 44A respectively. 44B are attached.

These intermediate reflectors 45A and 45B receive a part of the from the respective LEDs 44A and 45B emitted light, bend the light in about 90 degrees and divert the light to the parabolic reflector, which catches a portion of the light and aligns longitudinally out of the lamp. Since the intermediate reflectors bring a further reflection in the beam path, the LED module 11D be mounted so that the bar is largely horizontal. The light emitted by the LEDs is, after the reflection from the intermediate reflectors, largely vertical, largely horizontal and laterally to the left or right side. In some cases, a full parabolic reflector may be used instead of a semi-parabolic reflector to collimate the light; after collimation and after reflection from the collimating parabolic reflector, the light is largely longitudinal.

Any or all intermediate reflectors 45A and 45B may be flat, or they may be curved in one or two dimensions. For example, at a middle portion of the exemplary reflectors 45A and 45B , in the 7 and 8th are shown, a curvature in a cross section which is parallel to the rear of the motor vehicle, but there is no curvature in a cross section which is longitudinal.

at a flat intermediate reflector can deflect the beam path be such that the optical focus of the parabolic reflector the deflected path follows, rather than at the same physical location to stay in the room. As such, an LED can be found in this optically deflected focal point, as "in the" focal point be considered the reflector located.

at a curved intermediate reflector may be in the design the shape of the parabolic reflector, the curvature of the intermediate reflector be considered if necessary. As such, the real one Shape of the parabolic reflector slightly deviate from a paraboloid, so that the outgoing beam can be collimated properly. This is a well-known from the optical design feature and is for many years in areas such as the construction of multiple-reflection telescopes used. In telescopes with a reflector works a parabolic lens reflector sufficient. For multi-reflection telescopes where the reflector without lens has a certain curvature, the curvature can or the surface profile of the objective reflector in the Construction phase adapted to the curvature of the Reflectors without lens adapt. As such, the reflector in the combination rear light are called "parabolic", which has a parabolic cross section or a paraboloid is, even if its exact form changed in the design phase can be to any curvatures in the intermediate reflectors to be adapted.

8th shows the layer structure of the generally planar bar 31 , The circuit board 41 has two LEDs 44A and 44B and intermediate reflectors 45A and 45B for the LEDs 44A respectively. 44B on. Adjacent to and parallel to the circuit board is an optional heat trap 42 , The heat trap helps ensure good thermal contact between the LEDs 44A and 44B and a thermally conductive layer 43 attached to the heat trap 42 adjacent and parallel to this, to ensure. In another embodiment, the heat trap 42 be omitted, and the thermally conductive layer 43 can the circuit board 41 touch directly. In yet another embodiment, thermal putty or other suitable heat conductor may be placed between the circuit board 41 and the thermally conductive layer 43 are given. In a further alternative, the circuit board 41 itself be made of a thermally conductive material, such as a printed circuit board with metal core or circuit traces printed on aluminum plates / heat sinks, which is a very thin electrically insulating layer between the tracks and the aluminum plates.

The circuit board 41 can also be a connector 46 that extends longitudinally from an edge of the circuit board 41 extends away. Such a connector 46 may include one or more pins extending from the printed circuit board to the heat sink or housing 21B extend, and possibly through a hole in the heat sink or in the housing 21B to a mating connector (not shown) connected to the electrical system of the force vehicle is connected. As such, the pins of the connector may be referred to as being "antiparallel" to the longitudinal direction of the lamp because they extend longitudinally away from the viewer and not towards the viewer.

The three layers, the bar 31 can be interconnected in a variety of ways, including a snap fit, adhesive, screws, or by any other suitable method.

In some applications, the thermally conductive layer 43 separately from the heat sink 21B and then attached to the heat sink. In these applications, the thermally conductive layer 43 and the heat sink may be made of the same thermally conductive material as aluminum, or alternatively may be made of various thermally conductive materials. A possible advantage of the separate production of these two components is that the assembly of the bar 31 can be simplified because the groin layers can be easily accessible.

In other applications, the thermally conductive layer 43 an integral part of the heat sink 21B and the two can be made as a single piece. One possible advantage of co-manufacturing these two components is that the combination can be more robust and durable than two components that are manufactured separately.

At the heat sink or the housing 21B can the cooling fins 24 be omitted in the execution of the heat sink 21A of the 5 and 6 you can see. In some applications, the entire housing may be made of a thermally conductive material. In other applications, a portion of the housing may be a relatively poor conductor of heat, such as plastic. A plastic portion may be desirable in some applications where the presence of a hot part would be undesirable, such as a part that needs to be touched by a user or a part that could touch an element that could be destroyed by heat.

The housing or the heat sink 21B may have a structure that is suitable for a switching connector or a mechanical support. For example, the rectangular adapter 25B at the end of the heat sink 21B , off the bar 31 , used to hold one or both ends of a switching connector. The rectangular adapter 25B may also have a longitudinal hole through the heat sink to electrical connections through the heat sink to the connector 46 respectively.

It can also be a seal 54 be present, which provides a seal against the elements when the LED module 11D is mounted in the housing.

In the in the 5 and 6 The embodiments shown are the LEDs 44 on the circuit board 41 attached, usually away from the circumference of the circuit board 41 , and they radiate light generally perpendicular to the circuit board 41 out. There may be cases where it is desirable for the emitted light to be parallel to the printed circuit board 41 spreads. One possibility is a reflector 45 next to each LED 44 to redirect the emitted light, as in the 7 and 8th is shown. Another option is in 9 shown.

9 Figure 3 is a schematic drawing in assembled view of an exemplary mechanical arrangement of an LED module 11E for a combination rear light. In this LED module 11E can the four LEDs 144A . 144B . 144C and 144D radiate to the side and / or be attached to the edge at or near the periphery of the circuit board, so that their diverging light exit away from the ledge 31 generally parallel to the circuit board and the strip 31 spreads. At the geometry off 9 the light output propagates transversely, horizontally to the left and / or right side of the motor vehicle. This LED module 11E is more likely to be used with a full parabolic reflector than a half parabolic reflector.

The layer structure of the strip 31 can be modified so that the LEDs attached to the edge 144 can be included. This modified geometry is similar to forming a tray from the thermally conductive layer with the circuit board in the recessed interior of the tray and the LEDs along the raised edge of the tray. For purposes of this document, this modified "tray structure" may be considered as sufficiently described by the layer structure described herein. Likewise, it can be said that the bearing surface of each of these layers in the "tray structure" can be said to be identical.

The heat sink 21C and the rectangular adapter 25C have a similar design and function as the heat sinks and adapters described above.

In the designs that are in the 5 to 9 are shown is the circuit board 41 a generally poor conductor of heat. To those of the LEDs 44 dissipate generated heat uses the bar 31 a thermally conductive layer that is parallel to and in thermal contact with the circuit board 41 is. Another way to dissipate the heat is in 10 shown.

10 Figure 3 is a schematic drawing in assembled view of an exemplary mechanical arrangement of an LED module 11F for a combination rear light. This special LED module 11F uses a printed circuit board 141 with metal core. The circuit board 141 with metal core is itself thermally conductive, and their use eliminates the need to use an additional thermally conductive layer or a heat trap. Mechanically, this is a desirable design due to the reduced number of components on the bar. However, metal core circuit boards may be expensive, they may not be able to handle large heat generated in some applications efficiently, and their cost may exceed that of the combined cost of a non-metal core circuit board, a thermal trap, and a thermally conductive layer ,

The three LEDs 44A . 44B and 44C , the connector 46 , the heat sink 21D and the adapter 25D may have a similar function to analogous elements described above.

In the designs that are in the 5 to 10 shown is the bar 31 in general, with only the LEDs 44 and optional reflector 45 significant from the general level of the groin 31 extend. An alternative embodiment for the strip 131 is in the 11 and 12 shown.

In particular, the bar includes 131 of the LED module 11G a thermally conductive layer 143 that have their own characteristics of the heat sink 147 , like cooling fins, on the opposite side of the circuit board. For the purposes of this document, the characteristics of the heat sink 147 on the thermally conductive layer 143 can be considered as even, and they can be considered part of the generally planar layer structure of the bar 131 be considered.

In addition, the thermally conductive layer 143 include an optional border around the perimeter of the heat trap 42 and the circuit board 41 extends. This edge can form a tray-like structure, so that the heat trap 42 and the circuit board within the "tray" of the thermally conductive layer 143 can be located. For the purposes of this document, the edge of the thermally conductive layer 143 be ignored when the thermally conductive layer 143 as being parallel to and contiguous to another layer and having the same bearing surface as another layer.

The heat sink 21E , the adapter 25E , the circuit board 41 , the heat trap 42 , the LEDs 44A . 44B . 44C and 44D , the connector 46 and the seal 54 may have a similar function to analogous elements described above.

It should be noted that the strips 31 and 131 here occasionally described as having a rectangular or a rectangular support surface. While a rectangular geometry may be desirable to reduce the amount of material wasted in forming the ledge components, it should be understood that other geometries may also be suitable. For example, the support surface may be round or elliptical, or may have notches, serrated shapes and features, or other irregularities. Furthermore, the bearing surface of one layer does not have to fit exactly to the bearing surface of another layer. For example, the printed circuit board may have notches or holes while the thermal trap need not have these notches or holes.

The Description of the invention and its applications as stated herein is illustrative and not intended to be within the scope of the invention limit. Modifications and modifications the embodiments disclosed herein are possible and practical alternatives to and equivalents of the various Elements of the embodiments would be for the expert with average expertise in studying this Patent document obviously. These and other amendments and modifications of the embodiments disclosed herein can be made without departing from the frame and essence of Deviate from the invention.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• - US 6991355 [0012]
• US 7042165 [0020, 0096]
• - US 7110656 [0021, 0099]
• US 7075224 [0022, 0099]
• - US 6637921 [0023]
• US 3700883 [0077]
• US 4704661 [0078]
• - US 5406464 [0079]

Claims (17)

Combination rear light ( 10 ) for a motor vehicle, comprising: a housing ( 21 ) with a longitudinal axis; a generally flat bar ( 31 . 131 ), which are longitudinally to the housing ( 21 ) and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing ( 21 ), the bar ( 31 . 131 ) comprises a plurality of layers, the plurality comprising: a thermally conductive layer ( 43 . 143 ) in thermal contact with the housing ( 21 ); and a printed circuit board ( 41 ) leading to the thermally conductive layer ( 43 . 143 ) is generally parallel; a plurality of light emitting diodes ( 44 . 144 ) on the printed circuit board ( 41 ) are arranged, wherein the diodes ( 44 . 144 ) through the printed circuit board ( 41 ), wherein the diodes ( 44 . 144 ) Heat generated by the thermally conductive layer ( 43 . 143 ) can be dissipated, wherein the diodes ( 44 . 144 ) Can generate light that is different from the printed circuit board ( 41 ) can spread away; and a concave reflector ( 13 ) with a focal point, the concave reflector ( 13 ) has an opening at its apex for receiving the housing ( 21 ), the bar ( 31 . 131 ) and the light emitting diodes ( 44 . 144 ) having; where if the housing ( 21 ), the bar ( 31 . 131 ) and the light-emitting diodes ( 44 . 144 ) completely into the opening in the concave reflector ( 13 ), the light-emitting diodes ( 44 . 144 ) in the focal point of the concave reflector ( 13 ) are located; and where if the housing ( 21 ), the bar ( 31 . 131 ) and the light-emitting diodes ( 44 . 144 ) completely into the opening in the concave reflector ( 13 ) are inserted, light ( 12 ), which consists of the plurality of light emitting diodes ( 44 . 144 ) is emitted from the printed circuit board ( 41 ) diverge away at the concave reflector ( 13 ) is reflected to a collimated beam ( 14 ) and from the lamp ( 10 ) substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing ( 21 ) exit. Combination rear light ( 10 ) for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of layers further comprises a heat trap ( 42 ), which between the thermally conductive layer ( 43 . 143 ) and the printed circuit board ( 41 ) is arranged to thermocontact between the thermally conductive layer ( 43 . 143 ) and the printed circuit board ( 41 ) to ensure. Combination rear light ( 10 ) for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein light emerging from the printed circuit board ( 41 ) propagates away substantially perpendicular to the plane of the circuit board ( 41 ) spreads. Combination rear light ( 10 ) for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein light emerging from the printed circuit board ( 41 ) propagates away substantially parallel to the plane of the circuit board ( 41 ) spreads. Combination rear light ( 10 ) for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the concave reflector ( 13 ) is an incomplete section of a paraboloid. Combination rear light ( 10 ) for a motor vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a clear cover lens ( 15 ) on an exit side of the lamp ( 10 ) for passing the collimated beam ( 14 ). Combination rear light ( 10 ) for a motor vehicle, comprising: a concave reflector ( 13 ) for receiving diverging light ( 12 ) of a plurality of light emitting diodes ( 44 . 144 ) and for reflecting a collimated beam ( 14 ) in a beam exit direction; a largely planar structure ( 31 . 131 ) for mechanically holding the light-emitting diodes ( 44 . 144 ), for electrically operating the light-emitting diodes ( 44 . 144 ) and for dissipating heat from the light emitting diodes ( 44 . 144 ), the largely planar structure ( 31 . 131 ) comprises: a printed circuit board ( 41 ); and a thermally conductive layer ( 43 . 143 ) parallel to and adjacent to the circuit board ( 41 ); and a housing ( 21 ) for mechanically supporting the largely planar structure ( 31 . 131 ), the housing ( 21 ) in thermal contact with the thermally conductive layer ( 43 . 143 ); the largely planar structure ( 31 . 131 ) through an opening in the concave reflector ( 13 ) can be inserted in the beam exit direction; where the largely planar structure ( 31 . 131 ) completely into the opening in the concave reflector ( 13 ), the plurality of light emitting diodes ( 44 . 144 ) in a focal point of the concave reflector ( 13 ) is located; and where the largely planar structure ( 31 . 131 ) completely into the opening in the concave reflector ( 13 ), the housing ( 21 ) largely outside of the concave reflector ( 13 ) remains. Combination rear light ( 10 ) for a motor vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the concave reflector ( 13 ) the diverging light directly from the plurality of light emitting diodes ( 44 . 144 ) receives. Combination rear light ( 10 ) for a motor vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the concave reflector ( 13 ) the diverging light ( 12 ) of an intermediate reflection between the plurality of light emitting diodes ( 44 . 144 ) and the concave reflector ( 13 ) receives. Combination rear light for a motor vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the intermediate reflection by at least one intermediate reflector ( 45 ) formed on the circuit board ( 41 ) is attached. Combination rear light ( 10 ) for a motor vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the thermally conductive layer ( 43 . 143 ) integral with the housing ( 21 ) is made. Combination rear light ( 10 ) for a motor vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the thermally conductive layer ( 43 . 143 ) on the housing ( 21 ) is attached. Combination rear light ( 10 ) for a motor vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the largely planar structure ( 31 . 131 ) a heat trap ( 42 ), which between the circuit board ( 41 ) and the thermally conductive layer ( 43 . 143 ) is arranged to the thermal contact between the circuit board ( 41 ) and the thermally conductive layer ( 43 . 143 ) to reinforce. Combination rear light ( 10 ) for a motor vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the concave reflector ( 13 ) is an incomplete section of a paraboloid. Combination rear light ( 10 ) for a motor vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the concave reflector ( 13 ) a variety of facets ( 19 ) for angularly deflecting the collimated beam ( 14 ) having; and where the total angular deflections of all facets ( 19 ) together form a predetermined, two-dimensional angular distribution about the beam exit direction. Combination rear light ( 10 ) for a motor vehicle according to claim 7, further comprising: a switching connector ( 46 ) on the printed circuit board ( 41 ) is arranged; the switch connector ( 46 ) has a plurality of pins which are generally anti-parallel to the beam exit direction through an opening in the housing ( 21 ). Combination rear light ( 10 ) for a motor vehicle according to claim 7, wherein the thermally conductive layer ( 43 . 143 ) and the printed circuit board ( 41 ) have substantially the same rectangular bearing surface.